theatre
Nick Wilder is looking forward to the Karl May premiere
The actor Nick Wilder. Photo
© Markus Scholz/dpa
He lives in the middle of the Wild West in Montana. Now he can finally play a westerner, a villain. Nick Wilder already knows that he will miss the Karl May Festival after 72 performances.
Finally, the former “dream ship doctor” Nick Wilder will immerse himself in the role he has long wanted. The 71-year-old will swap his home in the heart of the Wild West in the US state of Montana for the prairie of Bad Segeberg for a summer to play the charming yet evil Emery Forster in the Karl May Games.
The sets for the play “Winnetou 2 – Ribanna and Old Firehand” have been set up, and rehearsals are taking place in a wide circle, whatever the weather. “This is phenomenal, almost overwhelming,” said Wilder. Growing up on Fehmarn, he had already seen the Karl May plays as a child. The television series “Bonanza” was an inspiration for him in life. “That was exactly what I always dreamed of. I’m living it today,” said Wilder, who built a house with a view of a lake in the mountains of Montana with his wife around 25 years ago.
He knew from the start that it would be physically very demanding in Bad Segeberg. The biggest challenge was riding. “I’ve always had a lot of respect for horses because I never really learned to ride.” But in Montana he has several neighbors where he can ride. His neighbor Judy taught him a lot.
“What I need to do more is stretch”
To prepare, Wilder does his usual training of running and working with weights. One thing he noticed during rehearsals: “What I need to do more of is stretch.” Is there anything he is afraid of during the open-air performances in front of thousands of spectators? “Everything I’ve done in life could have gone wrong. Something can go wrong here too. I’m never afraid, but always respectful of everything.” That’s why every single performance requires a high level of mindfulness and full concentration.
Wilder’s excitement is evident. “I’m already having fun experiencing this with my colleagues,” he said. “I’m going to enjoy the 72 performances and I already know that the last performance will probably be filled with tears.” The whole group is growing together quickly. “I haven’t laughed so much in a long time. We’re having a lot of fun. My colleagues all have a great sense of humor. And Bad Segeberg is a cool town. I feel very comfortable here.” The premiere is on June 29th.